Refuse compactor with compacting bag storage means

ABSTRACT

A refuse compactor having a receptacle for holding refuse to be compacted, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, drive means for operating the ram, a cabinet housing the ram and drive means and removably receiving the receptacle, and storage means arranged to provide storage and facilitated dispensing of bags for use in the receptacle to contain the refuse, including a bag holder disposed within the cabinet and having manually operable closure means associated therewith.

United States Patent 1191 Sulcek REFUSE COMPACTOR WITH COMPACTINGBAG STORAGE MEANS [75] Inventor: Charles E. Sulcek, Danville, Ky.

[73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich.

22 Filed: Sept. 8, 1971 211 App]. No.: 178,608

[52] U.S. Cl. 100/102, 53/124 B, 53/167, 100/229 A, 141/80, 141/98 [51] Int. Cl.. B301) 15/04, B30b 15/28, B65b 63/02,

Simmons 53/390 1451 Apr. 23, 1974 2,909,020 10/1959 Mersky 53/390 3,220,162 11/1965 Celis 53/390 3,220,163 11/1965 Celis.... 53/390 3,659,427 5/1972 Harza 53/124 B 533,558 2/1895 R0berts.... 100/102 X 3,601,953 3/1971 Boyd 53/124 B 3,654,855 4/1972 Longo 100/229 A Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord [57] ABSTRACT A refuse compactor having a receptacle for holding refuse to be compacted, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, drive means for operating the ram, a cabinet housing the ram and drive means and removably receiving the receptacle, and storage means arranged to provide storage and facilitated dispensing of bags for use in the receptacle to contain the refuse, including a bag holder disposed within the cabinet and having manually operable closure means associated therewith.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures :2 a a a REFUSE COMPACTOR WITH COMPACTING BAG STORAGE MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to refuse compactors and in particular to refuse compactors wherein refuse, such as household refuse, is compacted in a bag for facilitated disposal.

2. Description of the Prior Art In one form of improved refuse compactor, such as for use in domestic applications, a drawer is provided adapted to be lined with a suitable bag adapted to receive the refuse to be compacted and permit the compaction of the refuse in the bag by an associated ram means. Upon completion of the compacting of a preselected quantity of such refuse, the user may remove the bagged compacted refuse from the drawer for disposal as desired.

In such domestic refuse compactors, it is desirable to minimize the overall space requirements of the compactor so as to permit it to be installed in limited space environments such as in a domestic kitchen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved refuse compactor having means disposed within the cabinet thereof for holding a supply of bags for selective dispensing to be used in containing the refuse in the drawer in the compacting and disposal operations. The bag holding means of the present invention is arranged to utilize unused space within the conventional small compactor cabinet so as to obviate the need for increased volumetric capacity of the cabinet while yet providing for storage of a substantial quantity of such bags and providing for facilitated dispensing thereof when required.

More specifically, the invention comprehends providing such a bag holder in the refuse compactor cabinet laterally adjacent the ram and the drawer and in the illustrated embodiment, rearwardly of the ram and drawer in the space above the drive motor. The cabinet may define an opening which'may be selectively closed by a suitable closure adapted to be manually moved to provide desired access to the bag holding means when desired. In the illustrative embodiment, the cabinet is provided with a top opening and means are provided for disposing the bag holder in subjacent relationship to the top opening whereby the bags may be selectively dispensed by an upward removal thereof from a stored collection thereof in the bag holder. The closure illustratively comprises a cover removably resting on a cover receiving portion of the cabinet top wall, and provided with suitable manual grasping means. The manual grasping means preferably comprise means flush with the cover for avoiding upward projection thereof from the top wall of the cabinet.

The refuse compactor bag holding and dispensing means of the present invention is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirable features discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation with portions broken away of a refuse compactor having a bag holding and dispensing means embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof with the closure cover removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a refuse compactor generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a receptacle 11 for holding refuse to be compacted. The receptacle herein comprises a drawer which is selectively disposable in a compacting disposition shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 within an outer cabinet 12, and projecting forwardly from the cabinet in a refuse receiving disposition (not shown). Means for compacting the refuse so placed in the receptacle is provided within the cabinet, including a ram 13 and an electric drive motor 14. The ram is vertically reciprocal on suitable guides 15 to move downwardly into the receptacle, when the receptacle is disposed in the compacting position, and forcibly compact refuse placed therein.

To provide for facilitated maintenance of the drawer receptacle and to permit facilitated disposal of the compacted refuse, the refuse is preferably compacted in a suitable bag arranged to line the drawer and to contain the refuse. Upon completion of compaction of a preselected maximum quantity of refuse, the bagged refuse is removed from the drawer and disposed as desired permitting a replacement bag to be installed in the drawer for receiving subsequent refuse to be similarly compacted.

As indicated briefly above, it is desirable to maintain the overall size of cabinet 12 relatively small so that the compactor may be utilized in environments having minimum available space; such as in the domestic kitchen. It is, however, further desirable to provide some means for storing and providing for facilitated dispensing of the bags to be used in the refuse compacting and disposing operation. The present invention comprehends the provision of means for storing a supply 16 of such bags within the cabinet 12 while permitting the cabinet to be of effectively minimum overall volumetric capacity.

More specifically, the invention comprehends providing in the cabinet, an opening 17. In the illustrated embodiment, opening 17 is provided in the top wall 18 of the cabinet at the rear thereof overlying the space 19 in which the electric drive motor 14 is disposed, and rearwardly of the ram 13 and drawer 11. A bag holder generally designated 20 is provided in the space 21 above the motor space 19 depending from top wall 18 at opening 17. The bag holder more specifically comprises a top assembly 22 secured to the frame 23 of the top wall 18 by suitable screws 24 and including an outturned flange 25 overlying the edge of top wall 18 defining opening 17. A container generally designated 26, herein made of water repellent chipboard, is secured to the top assembly to depend downwardly therefrom and define an upwardly opening space 27 adapted to receive the bag supply 16 for storage and facilitating dispensing of the individual bags through the access opening 28 defined by the flange 25 of the top assembly 22. As best seen in FIG. 2, the top assembly defines a recess 29 overlying flange below the upper surface of the cabinet top wall 18 and adapted to receive a flush closure cover for selectively closing the access opening 28. The closure 30 may be provided with a recessed grasping portion 31 adapted to be flush with the top surface of cabinet top wall 18 when the closure is installed on flange 25 across opening 28.

The frame assembly may be economically formed by molding, such as from polystyrene plastic, for minimum cost while providing a highly desirable aesthetic effect. The closure cover 30 may similarly be formed of such a plastic with the handle portion 31 being molded integrally therein. The volume of space 27 may be made relatively large to permit the storage of a substantial number. of bags in supply 16. By disposing; the bag holder 20 rearwardly of the ram 13 and drawer 11 in space 21, utilization of this normally unused space in the refuse compactor cabinet is effected permitting the storage and facilitated dispensing of the compacting bags without need for additional size of the cabinet 12.

Bag holder'20 is extremely simple and economical of construction being formed of relatively inexpensive materials by relatively inexpensive processes, such as plastic molding processes and' trimming and folding chip-board or paper processes. Free access to the bags is provided by the location of the access opening in the top wall of the cabinet while yet the top wall of the cabinet may be substantially flat.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

Having described the invention, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:-

l. A refuse compactor having a receptacle for holding refuse to be compacted, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, drive means for operating the ram including an electric drive motor, an outer cabinet defining a top wall said cabinet housing said ram and drive means and removably receiving said receptacle in a refuse compacting position therein with the drive motor being directly rearwardly juxtaposed to a rear wall of the cabinet, and means for providing facilitated dispensing of bags for use in said receptacle to receive the refuse and have the received refuse compacted therein by said ram, comprising: an upper portion of said cabinet defining a space adjacent said refuse compacting position and congruently above said electric drive motor; a bag holder in said space occupying a major portion of said space in proximity to said ram and said drive means whereby bags held in said bag holder are disposed to absorb sound caused by said ram and drive means in the normal operation of the refuse compactor; means defining an opening in said cabinet top wall providing access to said bag holder; closure means for selectively closing said opening and means securing said bag holder in alignment with said opening for selective insertion of bags thereinto and withdrawal of bags therefrom, said bag holder defining a container for precluding contact of said bags in said holder by refuse material and moisture from said receptacle.

2. The refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said cab inet defines a recess circumjacent said opening and a closure member is removably disposed in said recess for selectively closing said opening.

3. A refuse compactor having a receptacle for holding refuse to be compacted, a ram for compacting refuse in'the receptacle, drive means for operating the ram including a motor in a lower portion of said cabinet an outer cabinet housing said ram and drive means and removably receiving said receptacle in a refuse compacting position therein, and a refuse loading position forwardly thereof, said cabinet defining a rear portion and a top wall, and means for providing facilitated dispensing of bags for use in said receptacle to receive the refuse and have the received refuse compacted therein by said ram, comprising: said rear portion of said cabinet defining a space within the cabinet disposed laterally of said ram and receptacle above said motor; a vertically elongate bag holder formed of moisture resistance material in said space occupying a major portion of said space in proximity to said ram and said drive means; means defining an opening in said cabinet top wall providing access to said bag holder; closure means for selectively closing said opening and means securing said bag holder in alignment with said opening to extend downwardly in said space from said cabinet top wall for selective insertion of bags thereinto and withdrawal of bags therefrom, said motor being directly rearwardly juxtaposed to the rear of said receptacle in said refuse loading position and directly forwardly juxtaposed to said rear portion of the cabinet.

4. The refuse compactor of claim 3 wherein said bag holder is defined by flat wall panels.

5. The refuse compactor of claim 3 wherein said opening is provided in a top wall of the cabinet and is provided with a coverfor selectively closing the opening including manual grasping means flush with the top wall of the cabinet in the opening-closing arrangement thereof.

i l l i ii Po-wso UNITED STATES LPATEENT OFFICE (5/69) CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 805,69l Dated .April 23 1974 Inventor(s) Charles ek It is certified that error aepears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby eorrected as shown below:

F i a 1 i Claim I l, column 3, line 40, after "wall" insert a comma column 4, lines 1-4, cancel the wording "whereby.

Compactor"; 7

line 6, insert a semi-colon after "opening".

Claim 3, column 4, line 19, before "cabinet" delete "said" and 7 insert in lieu thereof --an outer-;

line 20, before "outer" cancel "an" and insert in lieu thereof said-;

line 35, after "opening" insert a semi-colon Signed and sealed this 22nd day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. ca MARS-HALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A refuse compactor having a receptacle for holding refuse to be compacted, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, drive means for operating the ram including an electric drive motor, an outer cabinet defining a top wall said cabinet housing said ram and drive means and removably receiving said receptacle in a refuse compacting position therein with the drive motor being directly rearwardly juxtaposed to a rear wall of the cabinet, and means for providing facilitated dispensing of bags for use in said receptacle to receive the refuse and have the received refuse compacted therein by said ram, comprising: an upper portion of said cabinet defining a space adjacent said refuse compacting position and congruently above said electric drive motor; a bag holder in said space occupying a major portion of said space in proximity to said ram and said drive means whereby bags held in said bag holder are disposed to absorb sound caused by said ram and drive means in the normal operation of the refuse compactor; means defining an opening in said cabinet top wall providing access to said bag holder; closure means for selectively closing said opening and means securing said bag holder in alignment with said opening for selective insertion of bags thereinto and withdrawal of bags therefrom, said bag holder defining a container for precluding contact of said bags in said holder by refuse material and moisture from said receptacle.
 2. The refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said cabinet defines a recess circumjacent said opening and a closure member is removably disposed in said recess for selectively closing said opening.
 3. A refuse compactor having a receptacle for holding refuse to be compacted, a ram for compacting refuse in the receptacle, drive means for operating the ram including a motor in a lower portion of said cabinet an outer cabinet housing said ram and drive means and removably receiving said receptacle in a refuse compacting position therein, and a refuse loading position forwardly thereof, said cabinet defining a rear portion and a top wall, and means for providing facilitated dispensing of bags for use in said receptacle to receive the refuse and have the received refuse compacted therein by said ram, comprising: said rear portion of said cabinet defining a space within the cabinet disposed laterally of said ram and receptacle above said motor; a vertically elongate bag holder formed of moisture-resistance material in said space occupying a major portion of said spaCe in proximity to said ram and said drive means; means defining an opening in said cabinet top wall providing access to said bag holder; closure means for selectively closing said opening and means securing said bag holder in alignment with said opening to extend downwardly in said space from said cabinet top wall for selective insertion of bags thereinto and withdrawal of bags therefrom, said motor being directly rearwardly juxtaposed to the rear of said receptacle in said refuse loading position and directly forwardly juxtaposed to said rear portion of the cabinet.
 4. The refuse compactor of claim 3 wherein said bag holder is defined by flat wall panels.
 5. The refuse compactor of claim 3 wherein said opening is provided in a top wall of the cabinet and is provided with a cover for selectively closing the opening including manual grasping means flush with the top wall of the cabinet in the opening-closing arrangement thereof. 